Canapé is the most common way to say “sofa” in French. But there are several other options.

As you learn French, you might find yourself furnishing an apartment or just wanting to describe your living room, and you’ll want to know what to call that big comfy piece of furniture!

Let’s look at 9 common ways to say “sofa” in French, from the everyday to the more specific!

1. The standard 'sofa' – un canapé

The most common and universally understood word for 'sofa' or 'couch' in French is un canapé. If you learn only one word for this piece of furniture, this is the one.

Un canapé is a masculine noun. This means you will always pair it with masculine articles, such as:

• un canapé (a sofa)
• le canapé (the sofa)
• mon canapé (my sofa)
• ce canapé (this sofa)

This word is appropriate for any context, from casual conversation with friends to discussing furniture in a formal setting. It's the standard term you'll find in stores, magazines, and everyday life.

The plural form follows the standard rule: simply add an 's'. For example, des canapés (sofas) or les canapés (the sofas). The final 's' is silent, so the pronunciation remains the same as the singular form.

Be aware of the 'false friend'! In English, a 'canapé' is a small appetizer. While the French also use un canapé for this appetizer, the context will always make the meaning clear. You're unlikely to be offered a piece of furniture at a party!

💡 * Le chat aime dormir sur le canapé.

• Nous cherchons un canapé confortable pour le salon.
• Attention, ne renverse pas ton verre sur le canapé neuf !
• Les coussins sur ce canapé sont très jolis.

The English loanword – un sofa

The English loanword – un sofa

One of the most straightforward ways to say 'couch' in French is by using the English loanword, un sofa. As you can tell from the article un, it is a masculine noun. This term is instantly recognizable and widely used.

You might wonder how un sofa differs from another common French word for couch, un canapé. In modern, everyday French, the two terms are often used interchangeably. Both refer to a long upholstered seat for multiple people.

While largely synonymous, the choice between sofa and canapé can sometimes come down to personal preference or habit. Some might perceive sofa as slightly more modern or international, while canapé can feel more traditionally French. However, for most speakers, there is no significant difference in meaning.

The use of un sofa is a great example of an anglicisme (an English loanword) that has become fully integrated into the French language. This is common for many items related to modern living, technology, and international culture.

💡 * Nous avons acheté un nouveau sofa gris pour le salon.

• Viens t'asseoir sur le sofa, le film va commencer.
• Mon chat adore dormir sur le coin du sofa.
• Ce sofa est très confortable, mais il prend beaucoup de place.

The backless couch – un divan

Beyond the common canapé, another word for a couch you'll encounter in French is un divan. This term, however, isn't just a synonym; it refers to a more specific type of seating.

A divan is typically a long, upholstered seat without a back or arms, much like a daybed. It's designed more for reclining or lying down than for conventional sitting. Think of an elegant, backless couch you might see in a formal sitting room or a boudoir.

Crucially, un divan has a very strong association with psychoanalysis. When someone in France talks about being 'sur le divan' (on the couch), they are almost always referring to being in therapy. This is a direct reference to the iconic couch used in Freudian psychoanalysis.

So, what's the difference? Use un canapé for the standard, multi-person sofa in a living room. Use un divan for a backless or armless couch meant for reclining, or specifically when referencing the couch in a therapist's office. While all divans are a type of couch, not all couches (canapés) are divans.

💡 * Le patient s'allonge sur le divan pour sa séance de thérapie. (The patient lies down on the couch for his therapy session.)

• Dans le coin de la chambre, il y avait un petit divan recouvert de soie. (In the corner of the bedroom, there was a small silk-covered divan.)
• Ce n'est pas vraiment un canapé pour regarder la télé, c'est plutôt un divan. (It's not really a sofa for watching TV, it's more of a daybed.)
• Elle s'est reposée sur le divan après une longue journée. (She rested on the daybed after a long day.)

The bench-like seat – une banquette

The bench-like seat – une banquette

In French, une banquette (a feminine noun) refers to a long, often upholstered seat designed for several people. Think of it as a bench, a booth seat, or a settee.

This word is very versatile. You'll hear it used for the back seat of a car (la banquette arrière), the booth seating in a restaurant, or a small cushioned bench in a home.

It's important not to confuse une banquette with un banc. While both mean 'bench,' un banc typically refers to a harder, more basic bench, like a park bench (un banc public), whereas a banquette is almost always cushioned or upholstered for comfort.

💡 * Les enfants sont assis sur la banquette arrière.

• Je préfère la banquette, c'est plus confortable.
• Il y a une jolie banquette en velours dans le salon.

The 'loveseat' for two – une causeuse

The 'loveseat' for two – une causeuse

The term une causeuse is derived from the French verb causer, which means 'to chat' or 'to talk.' The name perfectly illustrates the furniture's purpose: a place for two people to have an intimate conversation.

A causeuse is the French word for a small sofa designed for only two people, commonly known as a 'loveseat' in English. It's a specific type of settee intended for close seating.

While you might hear the more general term petit canapé (small sofa), causeuse is still widely used and understood. It often carries a slightly more elegant, traditional, or even romantic connotation.

The primary difference between une causeuse and a canapé (sofa) is size and capacity. A causeuse is strictly for two people, whereas a canapé typically seats three or more.

💡 * On a acheté une jolie causeuse en velours pour le salon.

• Les deux amis s'installaient sur la causeuse pour bavarder pendant des heures.
• Cette causeuse est l'endroit parfait pour lire un livre tranquillement.
• Il y avait une vieille causeuse dans le coin de la chambre de ma grand-mère.

1. The Reclining Daybed: Une Méridienne

In French, the specific term for a reclining daybed or chaise lounge is une méridienne. This piece of furniture is characterized by its asymmetrical design, typically featuring a backrest that runs along one side and a raised headrest at one end, making it perfect for lounging or reclining.

The word méridienne derives from the Latin word meridies, meaning 'midday'. Historically, this piece of furniture was intended for taking a midday nap or rest (la sieste). Its name is directly linked to its function, evoking a sense of leisure and relaxation during the middle of the day.

Associated with elegance and classical French interiors, particularly from the Empire period, une méridienne carries a connotation of luxury and refinement. While you might see it in antique shops or stately homes, modern versions are also popular in contemporary interior design. It's a more specific and sophisticated term than the general word for a sofa, un canapé.

Unlike a standard couch (canapé) or a simple daybed (lit de repos), une méridienne specifically refers to the chaise lounge style. Using this term correctly will show a nuanced understanding of French vocabulary related to furniture and home life. It is exclusively used for this type of seating.

💡 * Elle s'est allongée sur la méridienne pour lire son roman.

• Nous avons acheté une méridienne vintage pour le bureau.
• La psychologue m'a invité à m'installer sur la méridienne.
• Ce meuble n'est pas un canapé, c'est une méridienne du 18ème siècle.

The general term for 'sofa bed' – un canapé-lit

The general and most widely used term for a 'sofa bed' in French is un canapé-lit. It's a compound noun formed by combining canapé (sofa) and lit (bed), literally translating to 'sofa-bed'.

The noun canapé-lit is always masculine. When making it plural to talk about multiple sofa beds, both parts of the word change, resulting in des canapés-lits.

💡 * Nous avons acheté un canapé-lit pour le salon. (We bought a sofa bed for the living room.)

• Les invités dormiront sur le canapé-lit. (The guests will sleep on the sofa bed.)
• Ce magasin vend de très beaux canapés-lits. (This store sells very beautiful sofa beds.)

The 'click-clack' convertible sofa – un clic-clac

The 'click-clack' convertible sofa – un clic-clac

Un clic-clac is the French term for a specific type of sofa bed, often called a futon or convertible sofa in English. The name is purely onomatopoeic, imitating the 'click' and 'clack' sounds the hinge mechanism makes when it's being opened or closed.

This piece of furniture is a staple in French student apartments, small living spaces, and guest rooms (chambres d'amis). It's a practical, space-saving solution known for its functionality rather than luxury.

The term is a masculine noun: un clic-clac. It's an invariable noun, meaning the plural form is des clic-clac. You'll often see it used as part of the compound noun un canapé clic-clac.

💡 * J'ai dormi sur un clic-clac pendant mes années d'université. (I slept on a clic-clac during my university years.)

• Nous devons acheter un clic-clac pour la chambre d'amis. (We need to buy a convertible sofa for the guest room.)
• Le mécanisme du clic-clac est cassé, il ne se déplie plus. (The clic-clac's mechanism is broken, it doesn't unfold anymore.)

1. The Z-shaped Sofa Bed: Un BZ

In France, a very common type of sofa bed is called un BZ. The name comes from the shape the mattress and frame make as it unfolds, which resembles the letter 'Z'. It's essentially a mattress folded into three sections that sits on a simple metal frame.

Unlike a traditional pull-out couch or its cousin, the clic-clac, the BZ unfolds like an accordion. You typically pull the front edge forward, and the bed concertinas out into a flat sleeping surface. This design means the bed lies perpendicular to the wall, saving space in narrow rooms.

You will often find a BZ in a student's room, a small Parisian apartment, or a guest room (une chambre d'amis). It's a practical, often inexpensive, space-saving solution for sleeping arrangements. The term is widely understood across France.

It's important to note that BZ is a masculine noun. Therefore, you would say un BZ (a BZ) or le BZ (the BZ). The letters are pronounced individually, as in English: "bé-zed".

💡 * J'ai acheté un BZ pour mon studio. (I bought a Z-shaped sofa bed for my studio apartment.)

• Les invités peuvent dormir sur le BZ dans le salon. (The guests can sleep on the sofa bed in the living room.)
• Ce BZ est très facile à déplier. (This sofa bed is very easy to unfold.)
• Pourrais-tu m'aider à replier le BZ ? (Could you help me fold the sofa bed back up?)

Are there other ways to say 'sofa' in French?

Are there other ways to say “sofa” in French?

Our list features the most common words for “sofa” in French, like canapé and sofa. However, the French language is rich with more specific or regional terms. You might encounter words that are a bit old-fashioned, describe a particular style of couch, or are unique to a certain Francophone region.

If you're curious about regional variations, try searching online for “comment dire canapé au Québec” or another French-speaking country or region. You might be surprised by the local vocabulary you find!

When you discover a new synonym like divan or causeuse, it's wise to check its specific meaning, perhaps with an image search. This will help you understand the nuances—for instance, a causeuse is typically a smaller sofa for two people.

Pay attention as you watch French movies, read French home décor magazines, or browse the websites of French furniture stores. Seeing these words used in context is the best way to get a feel for their proper application.

For a deeper look at related vocabulary and discussions about subtle differences, the WordReference entry and forum for canapé is a fantastic starting point. You can often find native speakers debating these exact points.

I hope this guide has helped you get comfortable with the French words for 'sofa'! Mastering the vocabulary for everyday objects is a great step toward fluency and helps make any new place feel a little more like home. Bon apprentissage (Happy learning)!